Lębork - Kościół św. Jakuba

Lębork (Lauenburg) was founded on the site of a previous Slavic settlement by the Teutonic Knights, after annexation from Poland in 1310. East of the town the Teutonic Order completed the "Ordensburg" castle in 1363. The castle was partly razed after the 1410 "Battle of Grunwald" ("Schlacht bei Tannenberg").
In 1440 the town joined the Prussian Confederation, which opposed the Teutonic Knights, and at the request it was re-incorporated to the Kingdom of Poland in 1454.

The Protestant Reformation was introduced in the town soon after 1519. Lębork was occupied by Swedes in the Northern Wars. The Swedish troops burnt Lauenburg before their retreat in 1658. Tax duties were released for five years to aid in its rebuilding.

The Kościół św. Jakuba (Church of St. James) was erected as a fortified church. It is assumed that its construction was finished in 1345.

The Gothic style church was built on a rectangular plan, with a separate presbytery to the east. On the western side there is a tower built.

Since 1945, the church has been under the care of the Franciscans.